Across Europe, there has been a resurgence in collective actions, which have taken shape through various initiatives led by self-organized and self-managed communities. Examples of these initiatives include cooperatives, community land trusts (CLTs), and collaborative housing projects.

This shift in approach is rooted in the principles of social innovation and community development. These principles emphasize high standards of participation, mutual aid, solidarity, the establishment of reciprocal relationships, and collective financing and management.

For these aspects of "co-production" to succeed, comprehensive collaboration is essential. This collaboration must involve not only the resident group but also other stakeholders, whether institutional or individual, who can empower residents with the knowledge and resources needed to bring their housing projects to fruition.

Although self-initiative is not a new concept, structural and symbolic aspects are now grounded in ideas such as social innovation, community-led development, and co-production.

These unique characteristics of this type of process demand a high standard of participation. In this first participatory workshop, concepts were reviewed, and ideas were revisited under the umbrella of the question of inhabiting (habitat).

These “co-production” aspects require broad collaboration, involving both the residents of Pegões, the architects and other experts, empowering the project with knowledge and resources to make this housing project a reality.

This conversation led to long-term impact of the project in this community. The focus is on ensuring the union between the new structure and the residents needs, fostering a positive and sustainable impact.

The land features a typical rural quadrilateral, bordered by agricultural paths to the north and west and adjacent to a public road on the east. These paths run perpendicular to each other and are truncated by the Agricultural Colony to the south.

A watercourse flows north to south through the land, flanked by elevations on both sides. Surrounding parcels of similar size are cultivated with various crops, including pastureland, vineyards, and large greenhouses. Eucalyptus plantations are found to the north, while the south features rain-fed and irrigated crops.

The landscape is gently undulating, with shallow watercourses and several retention basins and ponds to manage stormwater runoff for irrigation.
Mixed eucalyptus forests occupy the land, along with mature and young cork oaks and areas for fuel management and pastureland.